People. Training for this relay was TOUGH. Just look at the preparation I’ve gone through the last few months…well, weeks. Okay, hours:
- Flexing and extending my foot. A lot. My ankle is feeling very warmed up and limber. I should be able to brake AND accelerate NO PROBLEM.
- Staying up late watching old episodes of 24. Season 2 was pretty awesome. How is an atomic bomb not awesome? I digress. All this TV watching was a total sacrifice for the team. If I can’t keep myself up for Jack Bauer, how am I going to for a bunch of crazy runners? I’m ready. Jack has trained me well. Including how to really effectively torture someone…no slacking off, runners. I have powers of persuasion you will not want to experience. That should keep you running. None of this “Rah rah rah! Shish koom bah!” nonsense.
- Planning my outfits. This may have been the hardest part of my training. There are two completely opposite ways to take advantage of the fact that all the people I will be with for 2 days will be sweaty and, well, gross (no offense). 1) I just relax, wear sweats and sneakers, pull my hair back in a ponytail and enjoy not being stressed about how I look. OR… 2) Um, hello?! With minimal effort I will look 10 bazillion times better than anyone I’m with this weekend. Normally I’m the schlub at preschool pick up with the perpetual ponytail…now’s my chance to shine. If I flat iron my hair, throw on some lip gloss and wear some cute shoes, I’ll look like a supermodel in this sweaty crowd. Since one should not divulge all training secrets before the big event, you’ll just have to wait and see what approach I take.
So there you have it. The grueling training regimen of a running relay van driver. Those runners should be GRATEFUL all they had to do was RUN. Easy peasy.

Ha! And we are psyched to have you on board!
Please be tweeting photos – at least so we can see what route you went – ponytail or super model.
Have fun! I’ll be here in Utah…watching snow…cursing your names.
Bwahahaha! That is awesome.
OMG!!! You are hilarious! You are a supermodel all the time, Jane!
Nice! I don’t care what Marie says, being a driver is hard work. Just remember to slam 3 Monsters before you start your night shift.
Jane, Hi-to-the-freaking-larious.
[...] Week 171 Menu Right now I am driving a van for a running relay from Napa to Santa Cruz. I’m too wimpy to actually run a relay myself (see my empty sneakers? They’ll stay empty all weekend!), but I don’t want to be left out of the fun, so I’m a driver for Eat.Blog.Run. Getting ready for the race has been grueling, I tell ya. Read about my strict training regimen here. [...]
Hahahah! You are SO funny….I’m guessing you chose option B